A PLAN to build a new Crystal Palace has huge public support, say campaigners.

Members of the Rebuild the Crystal Palace Group and Triangle Traders, which represents businesses in Upper Norwood, have been holding consultations around Crystal Palace since early February.

The campaigners say they received 230 letters in support of the scheme, designed by architect Ray Hall, to build a scaled-down version of the palace on its original site in Crystal Palace Park.

They also collected 300 signed forms supporting the proposal, and 150 notes in a comments book, through spending four hours each in Beckenham, Penge, and Norwood town centres.

Triangle Traders founder Sue Nagle said: "They cannot question 230 letters.

"When has that ever happened, where that many people are all demanding a building?

"It's unheard of and they can't just ignore that.

"I reckon 98 per cent of people support this plan."

In October last year, the London Development Agency (LDA) submitted a masterplan for the park to Bromley Council.

However, this does not include plans for a replica of the Crystal Palace.

In this, the "top site" where the palace originally stood would be covered by 350 trees.

Unless the LDA is willing to change its masterplan, a separate plan incorporating a replica palace may need to be submitted by campaigners to Bromley Council.

An assessment into the palace's business case, which would allow a plan to be drawn up and submitted, is under way.

It is being carried out by New Crystal Palace Ltd, a company set up by architect Mr Hall to oversee the planning of the project.

The planned palace has received backing from a Scottish bank, believed to be Clydesdale Bank.

After being built, it would be maintained by a charitable trust.

An LDA spokesman said: "The LDA Crystal Palace Park masterplan was developed after widespread consultation with the community.

"It is now with Bromley Council to consider.

"Supporters of the proposal to build a third-scale replica of the old palace are free to submit their own planning application to Bromley Council.

"There is no barrier to competing planning applications being made at the same time."

The agency has an option to take control of the park which expires next year.

Bromley Council is expected to look at its application in the autumn.